Nelson Mandela 'comfortable' on 11th day in hospital

South Africa's Nelson Mandela is comfortable after spending 11 days in hospital, a minister with personal ties to the Mandela family said on Tuesday.

Mr Mandela became South Africa's first black president after his release from 27 years of imprisonmentPhoto: Kim Ludbrook/EPA

By Anita Powell in Bloemfontein

2:45PM GMT 18 Dec 2012

Minister of Public Service and Administration Lindiwe Sisulu is a close friend of the Mandela family. Her parents, Walter and Albertina Sisulu, were icons of the anti-apartheid struggle along with Mandela.

Ms Sisulu said she had no qualms about travelling to the African National Congress in Bloemfontein, nearly 240 miles from Johannesburg, with the beloved former president in a hospital in Pretoria, just north of Johannesburg.

"We are very close, they are family," she said. "And we are constantly in touch with them. And I wouldn't be here if I had any outstanding worries about his health. He was unwell, it took some time to get to the bottom of what the problem was, but once the doctors had made it public and we knew what it was and they were dealing with it, he's very comfortable and the family keeps us informed on a regular basis."

Officials initially said Mr Mandela was admitted for routine tests. Days later, they said the 94-year-old had a lung infection and was responding to treatment. On Saturday, they said he underwent surgery to remove gallstones.

Mr Mandela's name and image have hung over this week's ANC conference, at which President Jacob Zuma was re-elected party leader and heir apparent to retain presidency in 2014 elections.

Mr Zuma began his opening speech on Sunday with a struggle-era song about Mandela.

Mr Mandela became South Africa's first black president – and the first ANC candidate to lead the nation – in 1994, after his release from 27 years of imprisonment for his role in fighting apartheid. He was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for his role in ending the racially divisive system.